chris roberts couples therapist

Last Updated on March 14, 2016 by Chris Roberts

WHY DO PEOPLE COME TO COUPLES COUNSELING?

It may seem obvious why people choose to see a therapist for couples counseling in Nashville, TN, but there is more than one reason. For most people, the reason they come to couples counseling is because their relationship is not doing well and they want to restore the connection they once enjoyed. For others, the reason they come to couples counseling is determine whether their relationship is still viable given the changes and growth each partner has undergone. And still for others, the reason they seek couples counseling in Nashville, TN is because they are pretty certain their relationship is over, but they want to find peaceful and amicable closure on their previous life. All of these reasons are great reasons for reaching out to a therapist for help in determining their future plans. The remainder of this article will delve into the details of each of these options.

THE MAIN REASON PEOPLE SEEK COUPLES COUNSELING IN NASHVILLE, TN

The first and most popular reason people use couples counseling in Nashville, TN is to stabilize, understand, and move forward in their current relationship. It’s rarely helpful for a couple to simply declare: The past is in the past and we want to start fresh from this point on. Some partners attempt to employ this logic, but the problem is that there is no discovery and understanding of how they got to the broken place situation in the first place. Without some understanding and clarity on why their relationship faltered the first time, they may unwittingly fall back into the same patterns and return to their unhealthy place. The actions that brought the couple to their breaking point have purpose and reasons and need to be understood for their value. The couple also needs to make a more helpful gameplan moving forward for how they can love each other in more effective and connecting ways.

THE OTHER REASON PEOPLE SEEK COUPLES COUNSELING IN NASHVILLE, TN

Some couples have reached a place in their relationship where there is so much pain and heartbreak that they aren’t sure if moving forward together is actually a viable option. For each partner to be able to express their pain and grievances and then determine if the other partner wants to account for the pain they’ve caused is a difficult process. Sometimes, we are both so hurt and wounded we believe the other person could never fully accept the pain they’ve caused us, and thereby employ forgiveness in a way that feels meaningful. For others, what they learn is that although lots of pain and heartache has occurred, they believe most was due to misunderstanding and they are willing to commit to treating each other in more productive ways.

THE FINAL REASON PEOPLE LOOK TO COUPLES COUNSELING NASHVILLE, TN

For a small, select few both, or one, of the partners have decided the relationship has no future, but rather than shutting down and cutting them out of their life, they want to understand how the relationship reached the ending point. These couples believe there is value in understanding their past actions and want to make sure, as much as possible, that neither partner is left with a deep sense of resentment and bitterness.

All of our relationships leave marks on us for the rest of our lives. When we choose to give ourselves to another with the hope of a long-term relationship, we inevitably set ourselves up for deep pain and hurt. Love can’t exist without the possibility of harm and pain. The hope is that even through the pain we can learn more about ourselves and about life that shouldn’t be wasted simply because the relationship didn’t work out.

It takes courage to enter couples counseling in Nashville, TN for any of the reasons listed above. If you notice yourself mulling over any of the options above, it may be helpful for the two of you to begin couples counseling to see if you can receive some clarity and vision for your future. Chris Roberts is an experienced couples counselor in Nashville, TN who would love to help you during this process. Chris can be reached at (615) 800-9260 or chris@nashvillecounselor.net.

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